Division Three: JUSTICE PATTI S. KITCHING

Justice Kitching was born in Los Angeles, California, where she has lived most of her life. She graduated from UCLA, where she was named an outstanding graduate, and graduated from Loyola Law School, cum laude. In 2004, Justice Kitching received her Master of Laws in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Serving as a Deputy Attorney General for 11 years, Justice Kitching handled trial and appellate proceedings in the area of business and tax. While a Deputy Attorney General, Justice Kitching argued two tax cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In each case, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a unanimous opinion in favor of Justice Kitching's clients. Justice Kitching also worked as a senior counsel at Bank of America.

The Governor appointed Justice Kitching to the Municipal Court in 1988, and to the Superior Court in 1990. In 1993, the Governor appointed Justice Kitching to Division Three of the Second District Court of Appeal, where she has served for 20 years.

Justice Kitching is a member of the National Association of Women Judges, the California Judges Association, and the California Women Lawyers. She has been a contributing editor for the Matthew Bender California Practice Handbook, Pretrial Disposition, and she has served on the Matthew Bender Editorial Advisory Board for California Forms of Pleading and Practice. Justice Kitching has lectured on various legal topics and has taught at the B.E. Witkin Judicial College of California. Justice Kitching has also served as a Special Master for the Commission on Judicial Performance.

Justice Kitching was named the Appellate Justice of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys of California, and received the St. Thomas More Medallion Award, the Loyola Law School Advancement of Women Award, and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates Judicial Civility Award.

Justice Kitching has two children, Chris and Allison, and a daughter-in-law, Eileen. While the children were growing up, Justice Kitching was involved in coaching Little League and soccer. Justice Kitching spends her leisure time traveling, reading, gardening, and hiking.